Automatic flatiron controller



v BEST AVAILABLE COP. Sept. 28 1926. 1,601,294

0. A. COLBY AUTOMATI C FLATIRON CONTROLLER Filed Sept. 28. 1921 WITNESSES: INVENTOR fie. nmw 0/0 A. C0/b ATTORNEY Patented Sept. 28, 1926.

UNITED stares BEST AVAILABLE COP.

PATENT OFFICE.

ORA A. COLBY, OF IRWIN, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO WESTINGHOUSE ELECTRIC" & MANUFACTURING COMPANY, A CORPORATION OFPENNSYLVANIA.

Application filed September 28, 1921. Serial No. 503,795.

' condition, irrespective of the position of the device relatively to a supporting surface; Another object is to provide a switch or" the' above described character with marin ally actuated means tor-causing it .to interrupt the circuit at any desired time,

In practising my'invention, I provide a main and an auxiliary switch located in a terminal casing mounted on the'iron, means for simultaneously closing said switches against a spring," and means, under the thermal control of the iron, for holdingthe switches in their closed' positions until the occurrence of a predetermined temperature in the iron. I provide manually actuated 7 tripping means for causing said switches to interrupt the circuit at any time. 7

In the sheet of drawings, V Figural is a View, mainly in side elevation but partially in section, of an electrically heated iron containing a device embodying my invention; I 1 Fig; '2 s a'view, in side elevation, of the main and the auxiliary switch in the termi nal casing, the front cover-portion of the 1 casing being removed;

Fig. 3 is a view, in front elevation, of the means for locking the switches in their closed positions;

Fig. 4 is a View, in front elevation, of the movable portion of the main and auxiliary switches, and

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view through the locking means.

An electric iron, designated, in general, by

i the numeral 11 comprises a sole plate .12, a

top plate 13 and a heating element 14 clamped between the top plate and the sole plate by means of bolts 15, and a cover member 16 which may be held against the sole plate by means of a bolt 17.- A plurality of handle straps 18 and 19 are secured, at'their lower ends, against the cover 16 by rivets 20 and support, at their upper ends, a handle 21. The sole plate 12, the top plate 13 and the heating element 14 comprise what may be designated the body portion of the iron. The heating element let, may be of any construction usually employed in the art, and, therefore, will not be described in-detail. A plurality of terminal strap members 22 are connected to the ends of the resistor of the heating-element 1 and are held in proper operative positionby means of a terminal-supportingplate 23 substantially of L-shape which is, in turn, held in its operative position, relatively, to the body portion, by one of the bolts 15., Screws 24serve to securely clamp the ends' ofthe ;-resistor against the terminallstrapsa22 as well as to secure these straps to the member23,- it being; understood, of course, thatls'uitable insulating members.25 and-26 are provided to insulate the ends of th'eresistor-an'd the terminal straps from'the support. a A terminal casing-27 is secured against the strap member 19 and comprises two similar'metallic casing parts' 28. The two parts 28 are so shaped, at their upper ends, that they provide an opening 29 within which may be located a suitable tubular insulating member 31 through which the supply-circuit conductors 32 may extend into the casing. One of the supply-circuit conductors 32 extends downwardly into the casing 27 and is secured against the upper end of one of the terminal straps 22 by means of a screw 33, which, at the same time, serves to secure the upper end -of the strap 22 against a plate'34 of insulating material located in the lower part of the casing.

A'circuit-interrupting means is locatedin the casing immediately above the member 34 and comprises a disk 35 of insulating material provided with two oppositely-spaced current-conducting members 36 and 37 embedded therein and projecting radially therefrom a short distances The member 36 is of greater arcuate extent'than the member 87, for a purpose to be hereinafter set forth more in detail. Scews' 38 are provided in each of the members 36 and 37 to securely hold these members in their proper operative positions, as illustrated more particularly in Fig; 4.

i which "is held by one of the screws 38. The

bulb 39, the associated leads 41 and the conducting fluid 42 constitute the main circuitinterrupting means. While the members 36 and'37and co-ope'ratin'g resilient stationary members 43 and 44 constitute the auxiliary eireuit interrup'ting means. The member 43 may be integral with, or suitably secured to, an abutment 45 which is electrically connec'ted toth'e other terminal strap 22. The

member 44 may be integral with a metal plate '46 which is mounted on the member 34 and has the second supply conductor 32 electrically connected thereto.

The member 35 is mounted on a member 47, substantially of U-shap'e, by means of a screw-,not shown, a recess 48 being provided in the periphery ofthe member to receivethe member 47. The inner arm of themember i'i is provided with a short shaft 49 which extends'through apertures in the members 28 and 19, respectively, and is rotatively niovabl'e therein. Between the inner arm 'of the member 47 and the casing 28 is provided a ratchet wheel 51 which is normally secured to the shaft or pin 49 by means of a solder joint 52. A pawl 53, of L-shape and under pressure exerted by a spring 54, serves to prevent movement of the ratchet in one direction, here illustrated as -'a counterclockwise direction. A pin is secured to the outer arm of the member 47 coaxial with the shaft 49 and has mounted thereon, at its outer end, a suitable knob or handle 56. A coil spring '57, having its end fixedr respectively, in the outer casing part '28 and in the handle 56, serves to resiliently bias the handle 56, together with the main and the auxiliary switches, to their open positions. The construction and the assembly of the members 47, '49 and 55 and the main and auxiliary switches, as hereinb'efore described, is such that all ct these memhers have a turning movement upon the axis of the members 49 and 55. A red 58 of insulating material is loosely connected, at its inner end, in abutting relation to the free end of the 'pawl 53 and projects outwardly through an opening in the side wall of the inner-casing part 28.

Suitable means for securing the rear-casing part against the strap member 1'9 and for securing the member 34 in the rear-cas ing part may comprise a plurality of screws BEST AVAILABLE COP" or bolts 59. The front-casing part may be secured against the rear-casing part by a plurality of screws 61.

Assuming that the normal position of the iron is that in which the sole plate is in a substantially horizontal position, the following describes the method of operation of the device embodying my invention. It is assumed that the positions of the main end of the auxiliary switch are those illustrated in Fig. 2, in which the circuit is closed through the resistor of the heating element 14, the circuit being as follows; from one of the supply-circuit conductors 32 to the lefthand terminal strap 22; thence, through the resistor, back to the right-hand terminal strap, 22, to the members 43 and 36 through the right-hand lead 41, thence through the mercury 42, left hand lead 41, members 44 and 46 and thence out through the second supply-circuit conductor 32- As long as the temperature of the heating element or of the body portion is maintained below a predetermined value by use of the iron in actual operation, the amount of heat which will be conducted to the solder joint 52 through the cover 16 will be insuflicient to soften it and the main and the auxiliary switches will be maintained in their closed positions substantially as illustrated. If, however, by reason of the iron having been left standing for a considerable length of time, the temperature thereof approaches a predetermined valuewhich is dangerous, the amount of heat conducted upwardly to the solder joint becomes sufiicient to soften the same and to permit the main and the auxiliary switches, together with the handle 56 and the U shape'd member 47, to have a turning movement under the influence of the spring member 51 The position of the spaced loads 41 projecting into the bulb 39 is so selected that the circuit is first interrupted within the bulb by reason of the turning movement thereof causing the mercury to be disengaged from one of the leaks The arcuate extent of the member 36 and its co-- operating stationary member 43, as well as that of the members 3'? and is selected that these respective members will be in engagement until after the circuit has been initially broken within the bulb 39.

In order to prevent turning the switch beyond a predetermined amount when closing the same, a stop member 62 is provided to be engaged by the member 47, a similar step member 63 being provided in a suitably spaced position relatively to the member 62 to prevent the switches being turned through a greater angle than is necessary to interrupt the circuit.

It may be noted that the ratchet 51 is prevented from turning by the pawl 53 when the switches open, but permits the turning of the switches by means of the knob 56 in such direction as -to=again close the switches, itbeing, of "course, assumed that the iron has cooled down sufliciently to permit of the solder joint 52 to again'secure the ratchet Wheel 51 to the pin 495 B is impossible to manually reclose the circuit and maintain it closed by the device itself until after the solder joint has again -hardened sufliciently to secure the ratchet'to the pin. As illustrated, the turning movement for closing the switches is'in a"clockwis'e direction, while the "turning movement for opening the switches is in a counter-clockwise direction but thiswparticular; sequence is merely illustrative. i-. J;'-..' 1; I mzAssuming that the :circuit has been interrupted; as heretofore described, 4 by the turning-movem'e'nt of the main and the auxiliary switches, it is-posibleto cause the mercury in :the billb.39 .to again engage the leads 41 by turning the iron a predetermined amount on its ilong'itudinal axis .so that "thebulb 39 is againin substantia-llythe position illus- .trated in -Fig.' ;4 relatively to a; horizontal "surface." lt' is'also possible to interrupt the circuit through: the heating element of the iron by tilting the iron on one of its longitudinalmedges For by; iturning the iron lpredeterminedigreater oriless amount on its longitudinal artist. The function 01 the auxiliaryswitchis toziurther openthe circuit after itwhasbeen "interrupted by the mercury switch and to insure thatthe circuit cannot-ibereclos'ed'e'ither by accidentally turning the-iron on its longitudinal axis oiby the operator holding the iron insuch positionasi-toicausethe mercury to engage both of thele'ads 41.

If the==operator desires to interrupt the circuit at any time, it is only necessary to push the rod 58 inwardly to cause the inner end of the pawl to be disengaged from the ratchet wheel, whereupon the switches are opened, bythe spring 57, substantially as hereinbefore described, except that the ratchet 51 now turns with its associated shaft 49.

It may be noted that the device embodying my invention provides a relatively small and simple automatic means for interrupting the electric circuit of a portable device, such as an iron, which interrupting means is dQPQDClGDL'fOI its operation, upon thermally controlledineans, and that my device further providesmeans for maintaining the circuit in an interrupted condition, irrespective of changes of position of the device .relative to thesupporting surface upon which it may be located. The assembled main and auxiliary switches occupy a relatively small space and may be located in the non-removable terminal casing and connected directly and substantially permanently to the terminals of the heating element so that the device is not easily tampered with,

BEST AVAILABLE COP\ 8 yet permit-s of ready repair whenever necessary. 'lhc de ice embodying my invention provides also manually actuated means for permitting the interruption of the circuit at any desired time. The device further provides means for permitting the interruption of the circuit by turning the device on its longitudinal axis. a l

Ifdcsircd, an on and oil indicating means, not illustrated, may be provided in connect-ion with the handle of-the switch.

Various modifications may be made'in the device embodying my invention without departing from the spirit or the scope thereof and I desire that only such limitations shall be placed thereon -as are imposed bythe prior art or are specifically set forth in the appended claims. r

I claim as my invention: 1. A circuit controller for an electrically heated device, comprising a main and; auxiliary circuit-interrupting means of=difierent characteristics,under the thermal control of said device. i f

2. A circuit controller for an electrically heated device, comprising a terminal-casing member permanently secured to said device, and a main and an auxiliary-switch; of'different characteristics,located-in said terminal-casingi member and under the thermal control of said device. 3. A circuit cont-roller for an electrically heated device, comprising a main and. an auxiliary switch, of different characteristics, resiliently biased to their open positions and means u'nder'the thermal control or said device for maintaining said switches in their closed positions under normal operating conditionsi at. A circuit controller for'an electrically heated device, comprising a main and an auxiliary switch. of different characteristics, resiliently biased to their open positions and means under the thermal control of said device for maintaining said switches in their closed positions at all temperatures of the device below a predetermined value.

A circuit controller for an electrically heated device, comprising a main and an auxiliary switch. of different characteristics, resiliently biased to their open positions and means under thermal control of said device for maintaining said switches intheir closed positions at all temperatures of the device below a predetermined value and for permitting said switches to ope-n upon the ccurrence of said predetermined temperature.

6. A circuit-interrupting device for an electrically heated apparatus having a terminal housing member permanently secured thereto said circuit-interrupting device comprising a main and an auxiliary switch, of differentcharacteristics, resilient means for biasing said switches to their open positions and locking means for holding said switches in their closed positions.

7. A circuit controller for an electrically heated device, comprising a main and an auxiliary switch, one of said switches interrupting the circuit in accordance with the position of said switch relatively to a supporting surface for the device.

8. A circuit controller for an electrically heated device, comprising a main and an auxiliary switch, one of said switches interrupting the circuit in accordance with the position of said device relatively to a supporting surface for the device.

9. A circuit controller for an electrically heated device, comprising a switch group having a plurality of circuit-interimpting means connected in series-circuit relation relatively to each other, one of said means being dependent for interrupting the circuit upon its position relatively to a supporting surface for said device.

' 10. A circuit controller for an electric-alt heated device, comprising a switch group having a plurality of circuit-interrupting means connected in series-circuitrelation relatively to each other. one of said means consisting of an insulating container, electrio-circuit terminals extending into said container and a conducting fluid in said container, means for so positioning said sivitc relatively to said device that the fluid in said container engages said circuit terminals when the device is in its normal operating position, said positioning means permitting a movement of said switch to interrupt the circuit therethrough upon the occurrence of a predetermined temperature in said device.

11. A circuit controller for an electrically heated device having a terminal casing, comprising a main and an auxiliary switch in said casing, said main switch comprising a mounting plate, an insulating container located thereon, a conducting fluid in said container and contact terminals extending into said container, and said auxiliary switch comprising a plurality of spaced contact members mounted on said mounting plate and engaging said contact terminals and a plurality of stationary resilient contact members cooperating with said spaced contact members, the arcuate extent and position of the co-operating contact members of the auxiliary switch relatively to the main switch being so selected that the circuit is initially interrupted by the main switcl 12. A circuit controller for an electrically heated device, comprising a main switch for interrupting the circuit by changing the position of said switch relatively to said device and an auxiliary switch operated simul-' taneously with said main switch for preventing the reclosing of the circuit movement of said device.

13. A circuit controller for an' electrically heated device comprising a main switch for interrupting the circuit by changing the position of said switch relatively to said device and an auxiliary switch for preventing the reclosing of the circuit by a turning movement of said device. 4 14. A circuit controller for an electrically heated device, comprising a main circuit interrupting means effective to interrupt the circuit by a turning movement in a predetermined direction relatively to the longitudinal axis of the device and an auxiliary cirby a turning 1' wit-interrupting means connected in seriescircuit relation relatively to the main circuitinterrupting means for preventing-the reclosing of said circuit/by a turning movement of the device in the=opposite direction.

15. A circuit controller for an electrically heated device, comprising? aLmaiIisand-"an auxiliary switch resiliently biased to their open positions,'means under thez thermal control of said device for. maintaining-maid switches in their closed 'positionsuiideri nor; mal operating conditions aiidimeans vfor momentarily disabling said thermally controlled means.

l6. A'circuit controller for an electrically heated device, comprisim amain and an auxiliary switch resilientilyi-biased tof their open positions, means underzth-ethermalcon trol of said device formaintaining said switches in their closed positions-at -all temperatures of'the device belowia 'predeter mined value and means for causing 'said thermally-controlled means'to permit s'aid switches to interrupt the circuit: 1

17. A circuit controller for an electrically heated device havin a terminal housin member permanently secured to said device, said controller comprising a circuit-inter rupting means for said'device' comprising a main and an auxiliary switch,. resilient means for biasing said switches to their open positions, locking means for 'holding'said switches in their closed positions, "and manually actuated means for momentarily disabling said locking means.

In testimony whereof, I have-hereunto subscribed my name this 19th day of-Septem ber, 1921.

' ORA A. COLB 

